Safe January sales

January sales are upon us, and many people manage most bargain sales from the couch to avoid long queues, noise and stress. However, it is important to take precautions before you pay, warns AnyTech365.

Already, the January sales are well under way online.

Many online shoppers are eagerly awaiting the discounts to kick in, in January. But they are far from the only ones who do. The cybercriminals are also ready. However, the intention is not the same. The criminals create fake webshops and lure constumers with insanely low offers on just about anything, only to get their fingers in private data like passwords, payment card and bank details.

Remembering these 10 rules for a safe January sale, you can safeguard from cyber criminals when you shop online.

IT security experts at AnyTech365 provide you with tips on how to shop safely and thus ensure that the January sale is a positive experience.

10 tips for a safe January sales experience

1. Avoid clicking links in emails if it looks suspicious or you don't know the sender. Manually enter the URL into the browser, and check that you are not being redirected to a fake shop.

2. Look for the padlock icon in the browser and check that the Internet address starts with HTTPS (the S stands for Secure) to make sure the site is safe to visit. Also, look for other warranty labels, such as the e-mark, or other marks to assure secure internet commerce.2

3. Check the webshop’s contact information. Who is behind the webshop? Is there a telephone number, address, email address, CVR number, etc.? On many fake webshops, this information is non-existent and if you can’t find it, then you should be wary.

4. You can save money by comparing prices before buying a product. If you do not want to look for the best deals on different websites, you can check prices on comparison sites such as PriceRunner so you are sure that you are buying at a good price during the January sales season.

5. Save all receipts, order confirmations, etc. in your inbox or print them out. The more documentation you have on your purchase, the better off you are if something goes wrong.

6. Read the terms carefully before paying. How long is the delivery time? How do you return an item? And is there an extra expense on shipping that makes your purchase much more expensive than you initially expected?

7. Always pay for your online purchase by payment card. If you do not receive your items, the bank can help you cancel the payment. Also consider using an additional layer of security, such as Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure Code. This extra code prevents criminals from abusing your payment card.

8. Always make sure you have updated antivirus and firewall software installed on your computer and smartphone before shopping online.

9. Remember that webshops in most countries have some guarantees, while foreign webshops have others. Check the terms again before paying. Also look for specific January sales terms.

10. Last but not least, it is a good idea to be aware of extra high discounts. For a January sale, there is often good money to save, but keep your eyes open for webshops that promise 70-80% on branded products like Ralph Lauren, Prada, Apple or similar. If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is!

Hope you enjoyed reading up on how to keep the January sales a safe experience.
For more tips on how to shop safe online you may want to read back on Christmas shopping online safely.